An audacious concept, again executed in a single, “uninterrupted” take: Joe introduces the show as a leisurely walk from his house to the Museum of Science and Industry – threatening another “Structural Cinema”-like exercise in videotaped tedium.

However, though Joe does nothing in particular to engage a viewer, amusing characters appear in the background as the camera rolls. A couple argues endlessly, appearing at every street corner, a harried commuter shoves past Joe, over and over, and a wino follows him the whole way. AIR DATES: October 2, 10 1989 Continue reading →

An homage to the infamous films like **** (24-hours of the exterior of the Empire State Building) and Sleep (eight hours of a man sleeping.). When this was taped, in June 1989, Andy Warhol had recently died, and the Art Institute of Chicago mounted a lavish commemorative exhibition of his art.

Not only was “Structural Cinema” created without any intention of following it up with an Episode 2 or 3 (both Joe and Paul assumed they’d move on to other projects), but it was not meant to be watched or enjoyed by anyone.

In fact, the show begins with the host urging viewers to stop watching, and “go outside, read a poem, do something constructive.” Soon the series would adopt as its slogan, “Don’t watch too much TV. It’s not good for you.” Continue reading →